First time ever boating.

[Descant]

Welcome to the Forum and please let us know how your stay on the lake progresses. If you climb to the summit of Rattlesnake, take your chart. No way you can better understand the lay of the land.

[ITD]

Hmmm, watch the wind and direction. Things will be getting more active weatherwise and a wind from the north/ northwest can push up some pretty impressive waves through the broads, which you will have to cross. Don't be afraid to turn back if it starts getting hairy, watch the forecasts, but understand, when you need the wind forecast to be accurate, it isn't. Just be careful and aware and you'll be fine.

[Island Girl]

Which side of the island will you be?

Tying the boat to the dock: We prefer tying to the cleats not the posts. I typically have 8-12 lines on my boat as I live on the broads side. I always tie for the worst weather. That way I don't worry about my boat overnight.

Wind Direction: N, NW, WNW, W, WSW are all dangerous directions on Rattlesnake Island. An inexperienced boater should not go out if the wind is 10+ mph for any of those directions. WSW is interesting as the more West this is, there will be large waves. It the wind is more to the south then you will be fine. While you may not have trouble driving with waves, you may have a lot of trouble docking in the wind. You will probably not see wind as in my picture taken this June, please be careful. This is not to alarm you but to make sure you are aware. FYI, I would have a lot of trouble docking in this wind. A new boater would get washed into the rocks.

Weather Watch: Always know the hour by hour forecast. Weather can can change suddenly.

If you have a smart phone or tablet get the Storm App and turn on the wind component. The longer the waves travel the larger they will be. That is why the above wind directions are dangerous on this part of the lake.

Also get the Wind Alert app. This is a forecast and displays a map with the wind speed and direction.

If a storm is coming, you probably cannot out run it. You can alway head for any shore and dock. People are very kind about this.

Low water: When docking at your house, make sure there is a lot of water under the boat. Big waves make troughs and the boat can hit bottom. Raise the motor/out drive when the boat is docked with these low water conditions.

Keep your cell phone charged, carry an extra battery.

The good stuff: September is a wonderful time to be on the lake. The water is still warm and there is little boat chop. There will be space at any of the towns' docks.

Check out the web cams at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/watch.htm for the conditions around the lake.

Please, no outside fires. The island is very dry and the fire boat is over 10 miles away.

Enjoy
IG

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by ITD

Hmmm, watch the wind and direction. Things will be getting more active weatherwise and a wind from the north/ northwest can push up some pretty impressive waves through the broads, which you will have to cross. Don't be afraid to turn back if it starts getting hairy, watch the forecasts, but understand, when you need the wind forecast to be accurate, it isn't. Just be careful and aware and you'll be fine.

This one scared me as I had a rather frightening experience one time when I was "teaching someone the ropes" ....

When waves kick up, hit them HEAD ON, DO NOT LET THEM HIT YOU BROADSIDE. You may even want/need to accelerate a little turn the boat into them or to help you cut through them head on rather than having then roll over you.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

This one scared me as I had a rather frightening experience one time when I was "teaching someone the ropes" ....

When waves kick up, hit them HEAD ON, DO NOT LET THEM HIT YOU BROADSIDE. You may even want/need to accelerate a little turn the boat into them or to help you cut through them head on rather than having then roll over you.

No, I hate to disagree but DO NOT hit them head on, especially with a bow rider. If they are big,they can go over the front. You need to hit them at an angle. But yes, go fast enough that they don't roll over the front.

[Hivolt]

Better judgement prevailed and I have opted to rent a boat and a captain for a day this weekend to get out a little experience and a rundown of the lake a couple weeks before our stay.

After reading a few of the replies and seeing IG's picture I decided this can get serious in a hurry. I do keep a cool head however, not much phases me no matter how high pressure the situation is.

[chris410]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Better judgement prevailed and I have opted to rent a boat and a captain for a day this weekend to get out a little experience and a rundown of the lake a couple weeks before our stay.

After reading a few of the replies and seeing IG's picture I decided this can get serious in a hurry. I do keep a cool head however, not much phases me no matter how high pressure the situation is.

Good call. definitely money well spent.

[Descant]

Just curious, HiVolt.
You're renting on the north end of Rattlesnake, and rent a boat from Wolfeboro, so a lot of the posts here have been about rough water in the Broads. I think many Rattlesnake residents operate out of Alton or West Alton as it is a shorter, more protected ride when you go to the mainland, for whatever reasons, and you don't have to cross the Broads. Does the owner/landlord have access to mainland on that side of the lake that could benefit you?

[Hivolt]

Originally Posted by Descant

Just curious, HiVolt.
You're renting on the north end of Rattlesnake, and rent a boat from Wolfeboro, so a lot of the posts here have been about rough water in the Broads. I think many Rattlesnake residents operate out of Alton or West Alton as it is a shorter, more protected ride when you go to the mainland, for whatever reasons, and you don't have to cross the Broads. Does the owner/landlord have access to mainland on that side of the lake that could benefit you?

I was trying to use a gift certificate for a boat rental and combine it with a vacation. I do have mainland access on the west side of the lake which is where I will be parking the car and picking up her and the dogs, I will be making the trip from Wolfeboro solo.

I mean where the car will end up parked, I am getting dropped off in Wolfeboro and she is driving around the lake to meet me.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

I was trying to use a gift certificate for a boat rental and combine it with a vacation. I do have mainland access on the west side of the lake which is where I will be parking the car and picking up her and the dogs, I will be making the trip from Wolfeboro solo.

I mean where the car will end up parked, I am getting dropped off in Wolfeboro and she is driving around the lake to meet me.

Odds are you will have no problem, it's not as scary as it sounds 90 % of the time, but just be aware of the conditions and don't force it if the wind is howling.

[tis]

Aren't you glad you asked Hivolt??

Don't be worried. If you are careful, you will be just fine. Enjoy!!

[noreast]

Originally Posted by tis

Aren't you glad you asked Hivolt??

Don't be worried. If you are careful, you will be just fine. Enjoy!!

I'm not sure, after reading this thread I don't know if anyone's come out of there 1st attempt with all limbs intact.

[Hivolt]

Just an update:

I had my first half day on the lake today. Apparently there was some confusion in my reservation for the boat AND captain and I was unable to attain the services of a captain, but I figured i'd just go slow and get comfortable and see where I was time wise once I felt comfortable operating the vessel.
I started in Paugus Bay where I rented it and was content just staying there if I felt uncomfortable, after a half hour I felt like I had control of the boat so I decided to venture out the mouth.
I made it out of the mouth and decided I would take it real slow to see where I could get in an hour. I crawled through the buoys between eagle Island and Governors and crawled again through the channel markers at the witches, the lake was nice and calm and I ended up making it all the way to Wolfeboro where I tried my hand at docking at the fuel dock and again at the public docks....meh, pretty ugly but I got in with damaging ours or anyone elses boat, the wife and I still have to work out a good efficient system. I can't wait to do it again though.

The only real trouble I had today was over steering at no wake speed. The nose of the boat was going right to left and I just couldn't find a happy medium, it that standard for a boat at no wake speed? Or was my boat maybe just a little worn as far as steering goes?

Thank you everyone for all of your help and advice, I was able to apply a great deal of the tips out there today.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Just an update:

I had my first half day on the lake today. Apparently there was some confusion in my reservation for the boat AND captain and I was unable to attain the services of a captain, but I figured i'd just go slow and get comfortable and see where I was time wise once I felt comfortable operating the vessel.
I started in Paugus Bay where I rented it and was content just staying there if I felt uncomfortable, after a half hour I felt like I had control of the boat so I decided to venture out the mouth.
I made it out of the mouth and decided I would take it real slow to see where I could get in an hour. I crawled through the buoys between eagle Island and Governors and crawled again through the channel markers at the witches, the lake was nice and calm and I ended up making it all the way to Wolfeboro where I tried my hand at docking at the fuel dock and again at the public docks....meh, pretty ugly but I got in with damaging ours or anyone elses boat, the wife and I still have to work out a good efficient system. I can't wait to do it again though.

The only real trouble I had today was over steering at no wake speed. The nose of the boat was going right to left and I just couldn't find a happy medium, it that standard for a boat at no wake speed? Or was my boat maybe just a little worn as far as steering goes?

Thank you everyone for all of your help and advice, I was able to apply a great deal of the tips out there today.

Sounds like you had a great day--it was real slow where we were, so probably a perfect start.

I've been a pontoon-boat captain for a few years now, and two things: 1. I'm not convinced any of my dockings have been pretty. And it doesn't matter to me--as long as I don't damage anything, I'm cool. In fact, I almost always just slowly drift up and pull myself in. 2. I drove a friend's bowrider last week and I couldn't keep it perfectly straight either--just something that takes getting used to, especially after driving a pontoon.

Congrats on a great first day!

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

[Slickcraft]

Tomorrow will present a different lake: rain and moderate breeze in the morning and a stiff wind in the afternoon. If I had to go somewhere I would take the rain early in the day and pass on the stiff wind.

https://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin...st?query=03246

[8gv]

Perfect docking usually occurs when no witnesses are present.

I trim my outdrive way up for the Weirs channel. That makes steering a straight course more challenging. It takes a while to get good at keeping a slow trimmed up boat to go straight. Fixating on anything other than your course can find you quite askew.

[garysanfran]

Was a non-boater at some point, and it seems they have survived...Some with more harrowing stories than others.

You'll be fine...

Have fun and let us know how the vacation went

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Just an update:

The only real trouble I had today was over steering at no wake speed. The nose of the boat was going right to left and I just couldn't find a happy medium, it that standard for a boat at no wake speed? Or was my boat maybe just a little worn as far as steering goes?

Keep in mind Headway speed is 6 mph or the slowest speed to travel and still maintain steerage.

Speed up a bit in that situation so you can maintain steerage.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Just an update:

I had my first half day on the lake today. Apparently there was some confusion in my reservation for the boat AND captain and I was unable to attain the services of a captain, but I figured i'd just go slow and get comfortable and see where I was time wise once I felt comfortable operating the vessel.
I started in Paugus Bay where I rented it and was content just staying there if I felt uncomfortable, after a half hour I felt like I had control of the boat so I decided to venture out the mouth.
I made it out of the mouth and decided I would take it real slow to see where I could get in an hour. I crawled through the buoys between eagle Island and Governors and crawled again through the channel markers at the witches, the lake was nice and calm and I ended up making it all the way to Wolfeboro where I tried my hand at docking at the fuel dock and again at the public docks....meh, pretty ugly but I got in with damaging ours or anyone elses boat, the wife and I still have to work out a good efficient system. I can't wait to do it again though.

The only real trouble I had today was over steering at no wake speed. The nose of the boat was going right to left and I just couldn't find a happy medium, it that standard for a boat at no wake speed? Or was my boat maybe just a little worn as far as steering goes?

Thank you everyone for all of your help and advice, I was able to apply a great deal of the tips out there today.

Boats wander at idle speed, just let it go, make small adjustments when you get too far off course, don't overcontrol it, my boat moves back and forth, you get used to it and it usually goes straight unless the wind is really blowing. I told my kids when they were learning not to worry about the position of the wheel or the tiller, worry about where the boat is going. Loading, wind and in the ocean, currents all affect where a boat is going, which means the wheel may not be centered to go straight.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

The only real trouble I had today was over steering at no wake speed. The nose of the boat was going right to left and I just couldn't find a happy medium, it that standard for a boat at no wake speed? Or was my boat maybe just a little worn as far as steering goes?

Thank you everyone for all of your help and advice, I was able to apply a great deal of the tips out there today.

One thing that seems to affect a lot of people is that they steer a boat like they are steering a car and expect the same instant results. Remember, you are steering with the stern, not the bow, and the bow will not move like the front of a vehicle does.

People tend to over steer because they don't see the bow moving left or right like their car does. Try turning the wheel about half of what you think you want to and then wait 5 seconds to see if you get the desired results. It will result in a lot less wandering. Also, don't look down at the bow but look ahead of the boat. These two things together will result in a lot less back and forth steering to maintain the desired course.

[Phantom]

GREAT way of explaining what we do by second nature !!


.

[Hivolt]

As my week wraps up here on the Island I definitely have many things to reflect upon.
1. I got really lucky with the weather. That little 8 mph breeze on Wednesday opened my eyes up to just how ocean like and unforgiving this lake can be.

2. I got really lucky again. In a state of confusion I split the red and the black buoys at sandy point in Alton bay and not realizing it until I watched by depth finder go down to 7 feet real quick. That was my only real mistake though

3. Everyone is extremely friendly and extremely helpful, multiple times pulling into Wolfeboro public docks I had the wrong approach or the wrong speed or a stiff breeze blew me and the few folks that were more than happy to help.

4. I was absolutely insane to rent an island house broad side of basically an ocean having never boated before, but I like steep learning curves.

5. In the end I did this because I am looking for a summer home and something about island life just seemed to fit the bill, and does it ever.

In conclusion, Thank you to all who gave me advice over the past few weeks, my rental boat steered much better at headway speed this time around I think it had something to do with the fact this boat was brand new (Cobalt) and didn't have a broken skeg like the one I rented from the other place did.

[ursa minor]

Hey, congratulations on your "baptism by fire". I hope you find a nice island place, sounds like you'll do just fine. Maybe a little premature on this but welcome to the club!

[Rich]

Congrats and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself with no large repair bills to remember it by!

If you think 8 MPH winds are tough, try it with 10 to 15 or more!

We hope to see you around much more.

[Descant]

I think we're all glad you had a good time. Certainly, we appreciate that you gave us some feedback on your experiences. What was the reaction of your shipmate? Did you both drive?

Now, just read the catalogs and decide which boat shows you want to attend. Annapolis and Fort Lauderdale are next month.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by tis

No, I hate to disagree but DO NOT hit them head on, especially with a bow rider. If they are big,they can go over the front. You need to hit them at an angle. But yes, go fast enough that they don't roll over the front.

Good luck my friend, Lets never speak of this again

[chasedawg]

Originally Posted by tis

No, I hate to disagree but DO NOT hit them head on, especially with a bow rider. If they are big,they can go over the front. You need to hit them at an angle. But yes, go fast enough that they don't roll over the front.

Totally agree with Tis comments. Outsdoorman must not have much experience in seamanship through rough water conditions.